{
  "source": "latham",
  "source_key": "latham-lh-4989-ss-rib",
  "vendor": "Latham Hi-Tech Seeds",
  "brand": "Latham Hi-Tech Seeds",
  "product_name": "LH 4989 SS RIB-NON RETURN",
  "product_id": "LH 4989 SS RIB-NON RETURN",
  "crop": "corn",
  "release_year": "2020",
  "relative_maturity": 99,
  "maturity_group": null,
  "wheat_class": null,
  "trait_stack": [
    "Smart Stax"
  ],
  "trait_descriptions": [],
  "positioning_statement": "Known for its great performance in corn-on-corn situations, LH 4989 SS RIB uses its girthy, flex-ear style and great dry down to yield with low moisture for its maturity. You will see a consistent response to fungicide with good late-season standability on medium to higher-end productivity soils. LH 4989 SS RIB is a Grain First / Silage Capable hybrid.",
  "strengths": [],
  "characteristics_groups": [
    {
      "label": "AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS",
      "items": [
        {
          "characteristic": "Flowering for Maturity",
          "value": "Equal"
        },
        {
          "characteristic": "Early Vigor",
          "value": "3.0"
        },
        {
          "characteristic": "Stalk Strength",
          "value": "2.0"
        },
        {
          "characteristic": "Root Strength",
          "value": "1.5"
        },
        {
          "characteristic": "Stay Green",
          "value": "3.0"
        },
        {
          "characteristic": "Drydown",
          "value": "3.0"
        },
        {
          "characteristic": "Test Weight",
          "value": "3.0"
        },
        {
          "characteristic": "Drought Tolerance",
          "value": "3.0"
        },
        {
          "characteristic": "Foliar Fungicide",
          "value": "1.0"
        },
        {
          "characteristic": "Herbicide Sensitivity",
          "value": "None Known"
        },
        {
          "characteristic": "Suggested Population",
          "value": "28-36"
        },
        {
          "characteristic": "Corn-on-Corn",
          "value": "2.0"
        },
        {
          "characteristic": "Ear Height",
          "value": "Medium"
        },
        {
          "characteristic": "Ear Type",
          "value": "Flex"
        },
        {
          "characteristic": "Number of Kernel Rows",
          "value": "18-20"
        },
        {
          "characteristic": "Cob Color",
          "value": "Red"
        },
        {
          "characteristic": "Husk Cover",
          "value": "Medium"
        },
        {
          "characteristic": "Shank Length",
          "value": "Medium"
        },
        {
          "characteristic": "Leaf Angle",
          "value": "Semi-Upright"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "label": "DISEASE RATINGS",
      "items": [
        {
          "characteristic": "Goss’s Wilt",
          "value": "3.0"
        },
        {
          "characteristic": "Common Rust",
          "value": "2.0"
        },
        {
          "characteristic": "Northern Leaf Blight",
          "value": "2.5"
        },
        {
          "characteristic": "Anthracnose Stalk Rot",
          "value": "ASR"
        },
        {
          "characteristic": "Gray Leaf Spot",
          "value": "3.0"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "_scale_direction": "numeric ratings ~1-9 where LOWER = BETTER (1 = best / most tolerant / most resistant); confirmed by cross-referencing Product Overview prose vs values (top-rated stalks/roots cluster 1.0-1.5, weak traits 3.0-3.5, none approach 9). Categorical values pass through verbatim (SCN source 'PI 88788', Phytophthora 'Rps 1k', Anthracnose 'ASR', 'Medium Tall', 'Flex'). NA/blank = not rated.",
  "regional_recommendations": [
    {
      "product_list_name": "Latham dealer network (Upper Midwest — IA/MN/WI/IL/ND/SD/NE)",
      "agronomist": null,
      "agronomist_email": null,
      "variant_id": null
    }
  ],
  "image_url": null,
  "source_urls": [
    "https://www.lathamseeds.com/products/lh-4989-ss-rib/"
  ],
  "sitemap_last_modified": null,
  "fetched_at": "2026-06-05T01:46:00.360138+00:00",
  "scraper_version": "0.1.0"
}